Kasipovic told the press that the signing of the agreement was significant for Srpska since it offered many possibilities for cooperation in various areas.

“It is important for Republika Srpska to maintain the level of cooperation we’ve had so far and improve it in the future and build our friendship,” said Kasipovic.

On behalf of Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic, he expressed gratefulness to the competent ministers and the Russian friends on their patient work over the years who contributed to the signing of the agreement.

Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining Petar Djokic told the press that the agreement defined not only the business, but also the scientific and technological, educational, cultural and sports cooperation.

“This agreement is important for us because it shows how much the Russian region as well as the whole Russia is dedicated to working with Republika Srpska,” said Djokic.

According to him, the cooperation between Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation has constantly been improving and that was confirmed during a recent meeting between Srpska President Milorad Dodik and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Djokic is certain that Srpska and the Nizhny Novgorod region will have very specific forms of cooperation which will improve the lives of people in Republika Srpska and that the Russian region will benefit from it too.

He recalled that since March 2016, there had been certain forms of action which led to the cooperation between the Russian region and Republika Srpska.

Djokic noted that the Russian region, with the population of around 3.5 million, is the most significant industrial centre in Russia with a developed up-to-date technology, where the military MiG aircraft are manufactured.

The Russian delegation will also visit the Banjaluka Kosmos enterprise, University of Banjaluka and the Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska, where it will discuss the possibilities of specific cooperation in certain areas.

“The Nizhny Novgorod region is a great industrial, scientific and educational region in Russia and there is not a single business area in Republika Srpska that it could not cooperate with,” he said.

The Russian region cooperates with 141 countries, Lyulin said, making a conclusion that cooperation with Republika Srpska will be strategic and that it will be developed through many years.

The agreement signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Trade and Tourism Predrag Gluhakovic, Minister of Education and Culture Dane Malesevic, Minister of Economic Relations and Regional Cooperation Klokic, and Minister of Science and Technology Alen Seranic.

The Srpska Times is the first English language magazine originating from Republika Srpska with the aim, priority and objective of reporting timely, verified and accurate information on the current events, processes and attitudes (official and public opinion) in Republika Srpska